FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1300 130 147 In an emergency dial triple zero (000) HOW LONG HAS GP ACCESS AFTER HOURS WHEN ARE THE GP ACCESS AFTER HOURS BEEN OPERATING? CLINICS OPEN? GP Access After Hours was established in Maitland GP Access After Hours clinics are open when your GP in 1999 and has grown to be the most recognised, is closed including weeknights, weekends and public quality provider of comprehensive after hours care holidays. Our clinics are open from: in the Hunter. GP Access After Hours has five clinics located in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Weeknights – 6.00pm Maitland areas. Saturdays – 1.00pm GP Access After Hours is an approved after hours Sundays – 9.00am medical deputising service. Public Holidays – 24 hours HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT? I HAVE MY OWN GP BUT AM NOT SURE IF I NEED Call 1300 130 147 and speak to one of our qualified TO SEE A DOCTOR NOW, CAN I CALL GP ACCESS and experienced staff who can provide advice and if necessary, arrange an appointment at one of our AFTER HOURS? five clinics. Yes, you can call GP Access After Hours on 1300 130 147. Depending on your illness or injury, you will be: WHO CAN USE THE SERVICE? • provided self-care information and advised to make Anyone can call GP Access After Hours Service on an appointment with your regular GP in regular 1300 130 147 and if required, will be provided an business hours appointment at one of our five clinics. • provided with an appointment at one of our five clinics WHEN CAN I CALL THE GP ACCESS AFTER HOURS SERVICE? • advised to go to the nearest Emergency Department GP Access After Hours call centre is open when your • advised to call triple 000 for an ambulance GP is closed including weeknights, weekends and WHAT DOES THE SERVICE COST? public holidays. Our call centre hours are: GP Access After Hours is a Medicare Bulk Billed Service Weeknights – 5.30pm until 8.00 am the next day for anyone who holds a Medicare card. Overseas visitors and/or students will need to pay a fee. Weekends – 12.00pm (noon) Saturday to Monday 8.00am Public Holidays – 24 hours www.hunterprimarycare.com.au WHERE ARE THE GP ACCESS AFTER CAN I DROP INTO THE CLINIC WITHOUT HOURS CLINICS LOCATED? MAKING AN APPOINTMENT? Four of our five clinics are located within local public We prefer that you call us on 1300 130 147, so that hospitals with easy access to emergency departments you can be given a suitable appointment at a clinic and specialist services if required. Look for the GP appropriate to your needs. Access After Hours signs at: DOES THE SERVICE PROVIDE HOME VISITS? Belmont Hospital Home visits restrict the type of care Doctors can 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont administer, so we prefer patients to attend one of our John Hunter Hospital clinics where our staff can provide comprehensive Lookout Road, New Lambton and safe care to meet your immediate needs. Maitland Hospital WHERE ARE MY CONSULTATION RECORDS KEPT? High Street, Maitland All information is treated confidentially and meets Calvary Mater Hospital privacy legislation. With your permission, our Edith Street, Waratah consultation notes are electronically forwarded to your regular GP within 24 hours of your GP Access Westlakes Community Health Centre After Hours clinic appointment. (Toronto Polyclinic) 6 James Street, Toronto WHERE DO I GO FOR FOLLOW UP CARE? WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE? After you have visited a GP Access After Hours clinic you will need to follow up with your own doctor for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland areas. further treatment as we do not provide ongoing or routine treatment. WHAT SERVICES DOES GP ACCESS AFTER For non-urgent care you should make an appointment HOURS PROVIDE? to see your GP during normal surgery hours. GP Access After Hours provides a range of WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE NO TRANSPORT? services including: In exceptional circumstances and if appropriate, • Assessment by experienced, qualified General transport to a clinic can be arranged if no other Practitioners and registered nurses transport options are available. • Caring for people of all ages IS GP ACCESS AFTER HOURS AN • Caring for babies and children e.g. sore throats ACCREDITED SERVICE? and ears, high temperatures Our service is committed to delivering safe and • X-Rays high quality health care and complies with the Royal • Plaster/back slabs Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices. • Pathology as needed We are an AGPAL Accredited Quality Practice. • Wound review and dressing HOW CAN I PROVIDE FEEDBACK ABOUT THE WHO WORKS IN THE GP ACCESS AFTER HOURS SERVICE I RECEIVED? CLINICS? We are always interested to receive feedback about GP Access After Hours clinics are staffed by 250 our service. You can do this by: experienced local doctors (who are all qualified • Asking the clinic receptionist for a feedback form General Practitioners), registered nurses and administration staff. Our staff have extensive • Sending an email to: experience working in general practices and provide [email protected] comprehensive, reliable and safe care. • Calling GP Access After Hours during business hours HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY on 02 4925 2259 and asking to speak to the GP APPOINTMENT? Access After Hours Manager GP Access After Hours When you call GP Access After Hours you will be given • Sending a letter to PO Box 572, Newcastle NSW 2300 an appointment time at one of our clinics. Over 90% of all people attending a GP Access After Hours Clinic are seen within 30 minutes of their appointment time. www.hunterprimarycare.com.au.